Stepping outside to move and play is good for our health, our communities, and the planet. That is the message of the 2025 Position Statement on Active Outdoor Play, a new effort coordinated by Outdoor Play Canada.
Queen's researcher Eun-Young Lee (School of Kinesiology and Health Studies) brings both leadership and scholarship to Outdoor Play Canada as a board member and co-author of research that underpins the new statement, which highlights active outdoor play as a powerful response to challenges ranging from mental health concerns to climate disruption.
"Active outdoor play is a scalable and sustainable antidote to the side effects of modern living," says Dr. Lee. "It offers a way to rebuild balance in daily life and create conditions where everyone can benefit."
A global vision for play
Outdoor Play Canada is a national organization that brings together researchers, practitioners, and advocates to protect and promote access to outdoor play. Its new statement builds on an earlier version from 2015 that focused mainly on children and youth but now broadens the scope to highlight the importance of outdoor play for people at every stage of life.
The 2025 update frames active outdoor play as more than recreation. It addresses modern challenges such as climate change, digital dependency, and social isolation, and presents time in nature as both a personal necessity and a collective responsibility.
Equity is also a priority. Not everyone has the same access to safe and welcoming spaces, with barriers shaped by income, geography, age, ability, or discrimination. To make play more inclusive, the statement reflects the needs of diverse communities, incorporates Indigenous perspectives, and acknowledges that play happens in many different environments, from city streets and schoolyards to tundra and deserts.
Research driving global consensus
Dr. Lee co-authored two academic papers in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity that provided the evidence base for the new statement. The first paper outlines a three-year process that included 18 systematic literature reviews, global leadership meetings, and surveys circulated in six United Nations recognized languages. More than 200 experts from every continent contributed by reviewing drafts, providing feedback, and helping to refine the final statement.
The second paper presents the statement itself to the global research community. It synthesizes the evidence for the health, social, and environmental benefits of active outdoor play and offers recommendations that governments, schools, health professionals, and communities can put this into practice.
Benefits of active outdoor play
The evidence behind the statement is clear. Active outdoor play improves physical activity, sleep, and confidence, while reducing loneliness and stress. For children, it encourages learning through exploration and challenge. For older adults, it helps maintain mobility, reduces fall risk, and supports independence and social connection.
Spending time outside also fosters resilience and environmental awareness. Studies show people are often more active outdoors, and that exposure to natural settings supports mood and recovery better than time indoors. Research also shows that human health is closely linked with the health of animals, ecosystems, and the planet itself.
These findings are especially relevant as climate change reshapes outdoor environments through hotter summers, wildfire smoke, and unpredictable weather. At the same time, sedentary behaviour, screen use, and anxiety continue to rise. Outdoor play is presented as a low-cost, high-impact way to support well-being while easing pressure on healthcare systems.
"The 2025 Statement envisions a world where every person can move freely and thrive in nature-rich spaces," says Dr. Lee. "Achieving that vision is essential to creating healthier and more equitable futures."
Learn more about the 2025 Position Statement on the Outdoor Play Canada website.
